CALIFORNIA 
PRODUCTS 

AND HOW TO 

GROW THEM 

8 

By 
MACK COLVIN COATS 



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California Products 

and How to Grow 
Them 



BY 
MACK COLVIN COATS 



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To the Reader The author of "California Pro- 
ducts and How to Grow Them," 
Mr. Mack Colvin Coats, was born in California 
in 1868 and has lived in the State ever since. His 
early life, and until he was twenty-one, was spent 
on a wheat and alfalfa farm, planting, harvesting 
and marketing the crops. 

When he reached his majority he entered into 
the business of planting, cultivating and li^vest- 
ing California products. This business took him 
through the farming sections, giving him the op- 
portunity to study the fruits, vegetables, berries, 
nuts, etc., from a practical standpoint. 

Later he engaged in the dried fruit business, 
where he acquired the knowledge of curing, 
packing and marketing dried fruits and nuts, and 
then he took up the cannery w^ork. 

Here he was in close touch with the producer, 
studying the best kinds of products for canning 
and how^ to handle, process and market them. 

These years spent in growing, buying and 
marketing California products has given Mr. 
Coats the actual knowledge, gained by experi- 
ence ; besides much reliable data has been gath- 
ered from the most successful growers in the 
State. 

During the last few years Mr. Coats has spent 
his entire time gathering reliable information on 
California products, and giving illustrated lee- 



tures in Los Angeles and San Francisco on farm- 
ing districts, prodncts, etc. 

THE PUBLISHER. 

Notice. — This book will be mailed to any ad- 
dress in the United States for 50 cents. Send 
stamps or money order to, 

MACK COLVIN COATS, 

789 Market St. San Francisco, Cal. 



Explanation "California Products and How 
By the Author to Grow Them," is a very inter- 
esting study, but one that no 
man can master completely in a lifetime, as con- 
ditions are constantly changing. 

After fifteen years of close application to the 
study, as a planter and a grower, a buyer and a 
seller of California products, traveling through 
the farming districts, studying soil, climatic con- 
ditions, irrigation and actual results obtained, 
talking to successful and unsuccessful growers, 
gathering data on their methods, studying the 
market problems and future possibilities for 
profits for the grower of California products, the 
writer has given to the public this book. 

\\'ith the data at hand volumes could have been 
written, but the result would have remained the 
same. This book is intended to cover only the 
products of California suitable for the grower to 
plant who intends to farm only a limited area, 
that is from one to one hundred acres. 

Each of these products are taken up separate- 
ly. First the best varieties are given, then the 
best districts for future planting, best soil to use 
and distance apart to plant, while planting, cul- 
tivating, pruning, harvesting, marketing and 
other essentials are explained briefly. 

No book has ever before been published giv- 
ing all this information. Large expensive vol- 
umes have been printed on "Fruits of California," 
but these books contain much matter that is of 
little importance to the ordinary grower. 



After meeting numerous people who were en- 
tirely unacquainted with the farming districts of 
California, and the many different kinds of pro- 
ducts grown in these districts, people who in- 
tended to live in California, and become growers 
of California products, on small tracts, the writer 
concluded that a book, giving in as short form 
as possible, all the instructions and information 
pertaining to these districts and products, would 
be a guide to the beginner, offering the experi- 
ence of the writer, as well as that of the most 
successful growers of the State. 

First, the writer has endeavored to give all in- 
formation necessary on the farming districts and 
the best products to plant. 

Second, it has been his aim to give this in- 
formation in as short space as possible, so this 
book would be within the reach of all. 

Third, the entire book has been written so the 
reader can get a perfect understanding of the es- 
sential parts of farming in California without 
reading great volumes or spending much time 
and money traveling over the State. 

Every statement and all information given in 
this book about the farming districts, the pro- 
ducts and the method of handling them, can be 
verified by an}^ person who will take the time 
to carefully investigate. 

For the beginner to make a start it is first 
necessary to buy a piece of land, which generally 
means that some real estate man or firm must 
be consulted, and right here the first trouble is 



met. In California, like all other States, there 
are unreliable real estate firms and there are also 
reliable real estate firms, and to the stranger it 
is always a serious undertaking to attempt to 
do business, not knowing the difference. 

In traveling over the State the writer has be- 
come personally acquainted with a number of re- 
liable real estate men in each district ; men who 
make a specialty of selling farm lands in small 
tracts. These men are perfectly familiar with the 
land and the products in their respective districts, 
and have built up their business by honorable 
methods and square dealings, and can not afford 
to swindle a buyer in any way. 

On the last pages of this book is given the 
names and addresses of one or more of the most 
reliable real estate firms in each district. A let- 
ter addressed to any of these firms recommended 
will bring a quick reply, giving all details re- 
garding lands, prices and products. 

The names of some of the best nursery firms 
doing business in California is also given, and 
these firms will, on request, supply catalogues, 
showing prices of young trees, vines and other 
stock for planting. 

California The State of California has an area 
of 153,650 square miles, or almost one 
hundred million acres of land. 

This exceeds, by over one thousand square 
miles, the combined area of the States of Massa- 
chusetts, Delaware, Maine, New Jersey, Con- 

7 



necticut, Rhode Island, Xew York, Vermont, 
New Hampshire and Ohio. 

The entire western boundary of California is 
washed by the Pacific ocean, the great Sierra 
Nevada mountain range extends along the en- 
tire eastern boundary, and the Coast Range 
mountains parallel the Pacific ocean. 

These mountain ranges form a junction in the 
north at Mount Shasta, and the Tehachapi moun- 
tain range extends across the State east and west 
about three hundred miles north of the southern 
boundary. 

These mountain ranges completely shut in on 
all sides the vast level farming districts and tend 
to shut out all disagreeable weather. 

These mountains are covered w^ith a heavy 
growth of excellent timber, and here are located 
the great mineral belts and stock ranges. Flow- 
ing down into the level lands are numerous 
streams of mountain water, watering the valleys 
thoroughly. 

Located almost in the center of the coast line 
is San Francisco Bay, one of the finest harbors 
in the world, while other good harbors are 
numerous. 

With millions of acres of good level farming 
lands, well watered, fine harbors, splendid rail- 
road transportation and a y ear-around climate 
that pleases all, the future possibilities for the 
small farmer in California is excellent. 



Climate It is not the purpose of this book to 
favor any particular section of the 
State in any way whatever, therefore, the rec- 
ords of the weather man, showing results as they 
are, must be used. 

The farming districts of California have but 
two seasons, the wet and the dry. The wet or 
rainy season, winter, begins in October, with ' 
warm rains, and continues until April. It does 
not rain all the time during this season, but dur- 
ing these six months rain comes only at inter- 
vals, and between rains the sun shines bright and 
w^arm, flowers bloom, crops of all kinds are 
planted, orchards are cultivated, and the orange 
and lemon crop is picked and marketed. 

People labor out of doors in shirt sleeves and 
stock run without shelter, as the thermometer 
seldom touches freezing point. Snow and ice is 
practically unknown, and frost is seldom seen. 

The dry season, summer, begins in April and 
continues until October. During this period 
there is no rain, no clouds or fog, and the sun 
shines brightly. This is the great harvest time. 
At rare intervals the thermometer goes above 
100 degrees, but the dryness of the atmosphere is 
such that the heat is not unbearable. Sunstrokes 
are unknown and no one quits work on account 
of the heat. 

For six hundred miles north and south in the 
farming districts the thermometer shows almost 
the same results winter and summer. For illus- 
tration : In 1907 Los Angeles showed hottest 



point reached, 103 degrees ; coldest, 35 degrees ; 
while Sacramento, five hundred miles north, 
showed hottest 99 degrees, coldest 31 degrees. 

The most rain falls in the north and gradually 
diminishes going south. For 1907 records show 
rainfall as follows : Sacramento, 17 inches ; 
Fresno, 9 inches ; San Diego, 7 inches, while each 
place showed over 225 sunny days in the year. 
Hurricanes, blizzards and severe storms are un- 
known and plenty of sunshine everywhere. In 
fact, the splendid climate of California has made 
it the greatest fruit and alfalfa district in the 
world. 

Soil and The soils of California range from 
Irrigation the light gravelly to the deep, rich 
loamy. Along the mountains, border- 
ing all the level valleys, generally with a steep 
slope, are great stretches of the light gravelly 
and sandy soils. This is a very strong soil, and 
especially adapted to the growing of oranges, 
lemons, olives, figs and grapes. 

Bordering this foothill or sloping land comes 
the immense areas of smooth level lands, deeper, 
richer and easier cultivated, including sandy 
loam and finer soil. These lands have all been 
cultivated for grain for years, and with irriga- 
tion, immense crops of fruit, vegetables, nuts, 
berries and alfalfa can be grown. 

Along the rivers and smaller streams are the 
deep sedimentary loam lands, made up from the 
wash from the mountains for ages. These lands 

10 



are the very richest and produce fruits and veg- 
etables to perfection without irrigation. Along 
these streams many of the finest orchards in the 
State have been producing fine crops for years, 
and here the splendid vegetables are grown. 

As all the farming districts are partly sur- 
rounded by mountains, with many streams flow- 
ing into the larger rivers, from the mountains, it 
is readily seen that all the farming districts con- 
tain all the grades of soil, from the light gravelly 
to the rich loam. Therefore, most of the dis- 
tricts produce all the fruits, nuts, vegetables, 
berries and alfalfa. 

Some of the districts depend entirely upon ir- 
rigation. Other sections produce large quan- 
tities of fruit without irrigation, but alfalfa, in 
all districts, requires at least some irrigation. 

Most irrigated districts get water from the 
mountain streams, some sections pump water 
from wells, and a few sections are supplied from 
artesian wells. 

For all details on irrigation in California, send 
to State Board of Trade, Ferry Building, S. F., 
for Farmers' Bulletin No. 4. 

Fruitful CALIFORNIA the FRUITFUL, 
California where all the fruits of the world are 
grown. It is not so surprising that 
all the fruits of the world grow in California 
to perfection, but that in many of the districts 
all the fruits of the world can be produced on the 



11 



same farm, with alfalfa, nuts, berries and vege- 
tables besides. 

California has long since passed the experi- 
mental stage. It is no longer a country of ex- 
periments, but a country where everything is 
grown in large quantities — with niarkets to han- 
dle the same. 

The fruits, nuts, alfalfa, berries and vegetables 
produced in California amount to millions of dol- 
lars annually, yet the soil that produces these 
wonderful crops was, only a few years ago, pro- 
ducing large crops of grain, and the thousands 
of acres of land still producing grain is capable 
of growing these products. These lands are fast 
being divided up into small tracts. These tracts 
are being planted to trees, vines and alfalfa, in- 
creasing the output of these products and de- 
creasing the tonnage of wheat. 

As the output of these crops increase, the mar- 
ket facilities increase likewise, and by the time 
all these fertile lands are planted and producing 
the markets of the world will be capable of han- 
dling and paying good prices for the products. 

Already most of the fine California products 
are grown by farmers, living on small tracts — 
from ten to one hundred acres — and the future 
grower of California will be the man who puts 
all his time and energy on a small farm, growing 
and handling fancy California products in a sci- 
entific way. 

Few people are familiar with the immensity 
of the fruit business in California, and still fewer 

12 



are in any way whatever familiar with the dif- 
ferent sections of the State, where the fancy 
fruits are grown and the heavy crops are har- 
vested. Only the very few who have watched 
the developments for years, who have traveled 
over the State gathering data, investigating the 
soil, inspecting the markets, and actually seeing 
results, can comprehend the extent of the busi- 
ness, and see in the future the great possibilities 
for those who will engage in growing California 
products. 

Each season the rich soil of California, with 
the help of gentle rains and bright sunshine, pro- 
duces about two hundred and twenty-five mil- 
lion dollars worth of farm products, including the 
following : 

Orchard products $64,000,000 

Vineyard products 25,000,000 

Vegetable products 20,000,000 

Dairy products 25,000,000 

The growing of fancy California products 
means millions of income and there is a good 
healthy outlook for the future. Fine California 
fruits are grown in all parts of the State, but 
with the numerous kinds produced it is necessary 
to know what particular part of the State pro- 
duces each kind best, and where the best mar- 
kets are located for handling each and every 
kind. 

For convenience, and a cjuick and ready un- 
derstanding for the reader the State has been 
divided into live great districts. Each of these 

13 



districts excels in the production of some one 
or more kinds of fruits, and each section has the 
factories, or the markets, for buying and han- 
dling these products. Therefore, before plant- 
ing any kind of fruit look well to the district and 
the markets for handling this fruit. Then look 
to the soil, later to the planting, cultivating and 
harvesting. 

California California fruits may be put into 
Fruits two classes, deciduous and citrus. 

Deciduous fruits are those that 
bloom in the early spring and summer and drop 
their leaves in the fall or winter, including such 
as peaches, pears, cherries, apricots, etc. 

Citrus fruits retain their green foliage the en- 
tire year and ripen in the winter. Oranges and 
lemons come under this head. 

Then the many varieties of grapes, the nuts, 
vegetables and alfalfa, all of which will be taken 
up by varieties in the following pages. 

Planting Costly mistakes are made in planting 
Trees young trees, and many failures can 

be traced to this, especially where the 
planter is inexperienced or a stranger in the dis- 
trict. Great care should be used in selecting the 
kind and variety of fruit to be planted, in prepar- 
ing the soil and caring for the young orchard. 

After deciding on the section of the State in 
which you wish to live, investigate carefully and 
learn what fruits are being grown there profit- 

14 



ably, and if the markets are there for buying 
these fruits, then select your land. Or if you 
have decided to grow some particular kind of 
fruit, or several kinds, then locate in the district 
where these fruits are grown successfully and 
where the markets are near by. 

In selecting your land, be it one or one hun- 
dred acres, look well to the quality, and endeavor 
to get as near as possible to a railroad shipping 
point. 

Most of the land that will be on the market 
for sale in the future will be land that has been 
farmed for grain and will be easily worked and 
cultivated. Because this land has been growing 
grain do not think it is worn out or exhausted, 
as some people who have raw land for sale will 
tell you. All the grain land in California has 
been producing good crops of wheat and barley 
for years, without irrigation, therefore must be 
good, and most of it runs from six to thirty feet 
deep and only a few inches on top has been 
farmed. Furthermore, most of the finest or- 
chards and alfalfa fields are now growing on old 
wheat land. Raw land, or soil that has never 
been plowed, if deep and strong, is equally as 
good and will produce fine crops. 

After selecting your land have it plowed deep, 
deeper the better. Then let it rest a few weeks, 
so the air will penetrate it. 

Then harrow it down smooth, being careful 
that all clods and rough places are broken up. 
After putting ground in good shape holes for the 

15 



trees can be dug. Distance apart should be gov- 
erned by the kind of fruit trees planted, but most 
trees should be no less than twenty feet apart. 
Holes should be dug deep and wide, according 
to the size of the trees and roots. For the smaller 
trees holes should be no less than tw^o feet deep 
and two feet wide. 

Proper time for planting is January, February 
and March, but latter part of February and 
March, when the sun begins to warm the soil, 



is best. 



Long before this, arrangements should have 
been made with some reliable nursery for supply- 
ing the young trees, and very reliable people can 
be found in each district who make this a busi- 
ness. 

When everything is ready get your trees. The 
nursery people will tie them in bunches and these 
can be taken to your p^ace and "heeled in," that 
is, trenches dug in the loose soil and the roots of 
the trees covered. Buy a few more trees than 
will fill all the holes. 

A few at a time should be taken out, the tops 
cut back, and all long-hanging, or broken roots 
cut off. 

In planting see that a good amount of loose 
soil is placed in bottom of hole, also that the roots 
have plenty of room. Tamp the earth in around 
roots and plant tree about as deep as it was in 
nursery. 

Soon after planting the trees will begin to put 
forth green leaves. Look them over carefully and 

16 . 



take out any dead ones and' replace from reserve 
stock. 

Cultivating The strong soil of California, with 
the warm sunshine, grows young- 
trees rapidly, and grass and weeds grow equally 
as fast, therefore careful cultivation should be 
practiced. Keep the soil around the trees entirely 
free froni growing vegetation, and keep the 
ground loose. 

Vegetables, such as potatoes, tomatoes, onions, 
corn, etc., can be grown between the rows, but if 
this is done weeds should be kept down, and as 
soon as the vegetables are harvested all refuse 
should be removed. 

After the first year one good deep plowing is 
sufficient each year. This will turn under all veg- 
etation, then cultivator or rolling cutter is suf- 
ficient to keep down the weeds and keep the 
ground loose. 

If irrigation is used ditches should be built, not 
to interfere with cultivation, and water put on as 
needed, but care should be used in this, as too 
much water is worse than not enough. 

Thorough cultivating is one of the roads to suc- 
cessful farming. 

Pruning and After an orchard is planted and 
Spraying properly cultivated, the next im- 

portant thing is pruning. xA.ll trees 
require more or less. The heavy bearing trees, 
like peaches, pears and apricots, demand very 

17 



careful pruning'. It is an easy matter to prune a 
young tree the way it should grow, but it is hard 
to change an old one. Therefore, begin right and 
keep in mind these few points : That when the 
tree is older it will bear heavy loads of fruit, and 
heavier the loads more money for the grower ; 
that this fruit must be picked and it costs money 
to pick fruit from a twenty-foot ladder ; that the 
trees must be cultivated and low limbs interfere 
with this work. 

Prune so the limbs will grow upward and out- 
ward, making a symmetrical tree, shaped like a 
half closed umbrella, inverted. 

Begin to form the body when the tree is young 
and gradually work it up to the required shape. 
When the orchard is one year old go over each 
tree, cut away all crossed and dead limbs, and 
cut back the top slightly. When two years old 
begin to shape the frame. Work for a stout 
straight body. Select the first three good limbs 
for the main branches, these limbs to form the 
shape of the tree. Should extend outward and 
upward, and from each of these should extend 
three other limbs, and so on out. Cut back the 
top so the tree will not ^row too tall, cut out 
limbs so the tree will get sunshine and air inside, 
work to make a tree that will carry a good load 
of fruit, without breaking limbs, and grow the 
fruit on the outside of the tree, within easy reach 
of the pickers. Each limb should be evenly bal- 
anced and not crossed by other limbs. After the 



18 



tree is properly formed it is then easy, each fall, 
to cut away the surplus brush and top it back. 

Spraying Spraying is very necessary with most 
trees. It kills insect pests and fungus 
growth and keeps the tree healthy and vigorous. 
Deciduous trees, peaches, pears, apples and apri- 
cots should be sprayed at least once each season. 
Citrus trees should be sprayed and fumigated. 
There are many kinds of spray material, and dif- 
ferent ways of applying, and is a matter that 
should be left entirely with the grower, who 
should study his particular needs and act accord- 
ingl}'. Each kind of tree requires special treat- 
ment. Some growers do not spray at all. It is 
advisable to spray and fumigate and no grower 
should slight it. 

Harvesting and Long before the fruit is ready 
Marketing to pick arrangements should be 

made to market it. Most grow- 
ers of canning and shipping fruits have it sold 
before it is ripe. Some who grow drying fruits 
follow the same plan, which is the most satis- 
factory. 

If canning fruits are grown arrangements 
should be made with some canning firm to handle 
it. Sufficient boxes should be on hand to hold it. 
These boxes hold about fifty pounds and are re- 
turned as fast as emptied. As fast as picked it 
should be hauled to cannery or nearest shipping 
point. If shipping fruits are grown the same ar- 

19 



rangements should be made with some shipping 
hrm. In either case, try to please the firm who is 
paying you for your fruit. 

Before it is ready for picking learn from the 
proper person just how they want it delivered. 
Some firms may want it rather green, while 
others may want it riper, but let them be the 
judges. When you begin picking, see that the 
fruit is not bruised or handled roughly. Try to 
get the reputation for good delivery. This will 
assist you in selling your crop the next season. 
Have enough pickers in your orchard to keep up 
with the fruit, so it won't get too ripe, and deliver 
with promptness. 

If you have drying fruit get everything ready 
in advance. All fruits are dried in the sun on 
w^ooden trays. See that you have enough trays 
handy. Let the fruit get ripe ; this will mean 
heavier dried fruit and better quality. If it is 
fruit that must be cut open have enough help on 
hand to do the work. Spread the fruit on the 
trays and when it has dried sufficiently either 
dump it into large boxes or into a pile, in a dry 
place. If it is sold have some one look it over 
and give you directions for sacking and hauling. 
If it is not sold, submit samples to buyers for an 
ofTer. Do not figure on waiting too long for the 
market to get better. Take the market price, de- 
liver the fruit, get your money, place boxes and 
trays under cover and your work for the season 
is over. 



20 



Markets Fancy California products will never 
want for good markets. The markets 
of the world will take it, and with increasing rep- 
utation of these products the possibilities for 
overdoing the business is very remote. During 
the last few years many new markets have been 
opened, and with the increasing population in all 
the civilized countries the demand for California 
products are sure to increase from year to year. 

The great possibilities for marketing California 
products and the wide range of markets assures 
the farmer who enters into the growing of these 
pro"ducts good prices from year to year, and as 
the acreage planted increases so will the capacity 
of the markets. 

Although millions of dollars worth of Califor- 
nia products are shipped to all points of the earth, 
yet within the State of California itself is located 
the markets that handle these products for the 
farmer. 

These markets are the canning concerns, dried 
fruit firms, shipping houses, shipping associa- 
tions, produce houses, wineries, sugar factories, 
creameries and other large establishments that 
buy the raw product, pay cash for same, and then 
ship to all points. Home consumption also 
amounts to considerable. 

The canning industry of California is one of 
the largest in the State. Most every city or 
town of any size in the agricultural districts has 
one or more canneries for canning fruits, vege- 
tables and berries. In San Francisco many very 

21 



fine canneries continue operations for months 
each season, buying products in carload lots all 
through the farming districts and shipping it in. 

In some districts where some particular kind 
of product is grown extensively canneries are lo- 
cated and work on this product alone, while in 
other districts canneries handle all kinds of pro- 
ducts. Most of the canneries throughout the 
State are independent, buying where they can, 
and no combination of interests are made, giving 
the farmer an open market for disposing of his 
crops. 

When a farmer has good canning products to 
sell he can generally receive bids from a number 
of canneries for his entire output. 

When his crop is ready to deliver he can either 
haul or ship it to the cannery and receive cash as 
fast as he makes delivery. Here it is canned and 
shipped out in carload lots to all parts of the 
world, "Fancy California Canned Products." 

California canned products are very pure. Only 
the fine ripe fruit is used, with granulated white 
sugar. No preservatives or coloring matter what- 
ever is allowed, making these canned products 
very wholesome, which means an ever increasing 
consumption. 

Dried products, like fruit, raisins and nuts, are 
generally handled by the packing houses or as- 
sociations. In some cases these products are 
shipped direct to the Eastern wholesaler by the 
grower, under his own brand. 



22 



Many large dried fruit packing houses are 
located over the State, where fruit can be had. 
These are private concerns that buy dried fruit, 
nuts and raisins from the grower, paying cash on 
delivery. These products are placed in the large 
warehouses, and as fast as possible they are given 
a careful cleaning and grading, packed into car- 
tons, small and large boxes, and shipped out to 
all the markets of the world under the label of the 
firm. In some sections the growers have built 
their own factories and market their own goods. 

California dried fruits, nuts and raisins are pro- 
nounced by high authorities to be the most 
healthful of foods. As no harmful preservatives 
or coloring matter is used, and as all these pro- 
ducts are carefully cleaned before shipping, the 
consumption has increased to great proportions 
and the future outlook for continued good prices 
is very flattering. 

Each season over fifty million dollars worth 
of fresh fruit and vegetables are shipped from 
California to the Eastern markets, including 
oranges, lemons, grapes, peaches, pears, cherries, 
plums and other fruits and vegetables of differ- 
ent kinds. 

Like dried fruits, these products are handled 
mostly by large firms who buy the fruit and 
pack it, or by associations made up of growers 
themselves. 

These fruits and vegetables are shipped during 
the entire year, the citrus fruits during the win- 



23 



ter months, the deciduous fruits during summer, 
and vegetables at most all times. 

If the grower has products to ship, he finds in 
the shipping districts large concerns that will 
either buy his crop outright, or ship it for him 
on commission. JNIost of these products are 
shipped to the large Eastern cities for distribu- 
tion. 

^^^ith the improved handling and shipping 
facilities now in operation, the unexcelled repu- 
tation for fresh California products, and the ever 
increasing demand, the' future opportunities for 
the producer of these products is very encourag- 
ing. 

The wineries of California have during the last 
few years built up a reputation for pure wines 
that cannot be overlooked. 

Many fine wineries are located in the districts 
where good wine grapes are grown, giving the 
grower markets right at home to dispose of his 
crops. These wineries buy the grapes in bulk, 
paying cash, and as fast as the grapes are de- 
livered they are crushed, the wines are stored 
and aged, and then shipped out in bottles and 
barrels. 

California wines are light and wholesome and 
the consumer can be found in all parts of the 
world. 



24 



Sugar In the sugar beet districts are fac- 

Factories tories for handling the output, and 
to these factories the farmer delivers 
his crop, which is then manufactured into sugar. 
Great quantities of sugar are used in California 
by the canneries, which makes sugar beet grow- 
ing a very profitable business. 

Olive Oil For the olive grower who produces 
Plants olives in large quantities the olive oil 

plants, that take the olives, furnish 
good open markets. Olives are picked in the fall 
and delivered to these plants, and fine olive oil 
and ripe pickled olives are made. 

Creameries The dairyman in the alfalfa districts 
of California no longer follow the 
old system of making butter and selling it. This 
is left entirely with the creameries. 

Good creameries are located all through the 
alfalfa districts and buy the cream or butter fat, 
manufacture it into first-class butter, and then 
ship it to all the market centers. 

These creameries are equipped with modern 
machinery and are arranged so that the farmei' 
can ship or haul in his cream each day and receive 
cash for it. In some districts the creameries send 
w^agons through the country each day, gathering 
up the cream and returning the cans. IMost of 
the dairymen ow^n their own milk separator, 
which cost but little compared wdth the benefits 
received from it. 

25 



With this system the farmer can keep his 
skimmed milk at home for the calves, pigs and 
chickens. Cream delivered to the creameries 
brings from twenty to thirty-five cents per pound, 
and the butter made b}' the creameries finds ready 
sale. 

Thus you see the home markets of California 
can not be excelled. Millions of dollars worth of 
property is tied up in factories and machinery, 
and millions more is expended each year for raw 
products, material and labor, giving the farmer 
the greatest and best open markets in the world. 

The prospects for future enlargements along 
these lines is now assured. Each season new fac- 
tories are built, new companies enter the field 
and competition is steadily growing stronger, all 
of which assures the farmer, the planter and the 
grower good prices for his products. 

Farming Districts The State is divided, geo- 
graphically, into five great 
agricultural districts, as follows : 

Southern California, San Joaquin Valley, Sacra- 
mento Valley, north of San Francisco Bay, and 
south of San Francisco Bay. 

Each one of the districts is an empire within 
itself. Each district is surrounded, or bordered 
by mountain ranges, from which flows numerous 
streams of mountain water. Each district con- 
tains thousands of acres of rich level land, and 
each district is well supplied with good cities, 



26 



towns, schools and churches, fine country roads 
and good railroad transportation. 

All of these great districts are blessed with 
fine California weather, abundance of sunshine 
and many clear days each year. Although each 
district does produce all the products peculiar 
to California, yet each district is particularly 
adapted to the growing of some one or more kinds 
of products. 

It is contended, and is a fact, that each of these 
districts can produce, and does produce, all the 
varieties of fruits, vegetables, nuts and berries 
grown in the State, and all these products can be 
grown by any farmer. This is true, and every 
farmer in each of these districts can have on his 
table, from his own soil, all these products in 
season, yet, from a commercial standpoint, from 
a money making view of the matter, the growing 
of each variety of product, in large quantities, 
must be confined to certain districts which are 
peculiarly adapted to the growing of these pro- 
ducts, and which will supply these products to the 
markets of the world in large quantities. For 
illustration : Southern California is producing 
most of the oranges shipped from California. 
South of San Francisco Bay district is growing 
each season the bulk of the prunes and apples. 
San Joaquin Valley furnishes the raisins, Sacra- 
mento Valley the peaches and pears, and north of 
San Francisco Bay district the fine wine grapes. 

It is true that all these districts grow all these 
products, but not in large quantities. Where a 

27 



certain product has been tested and found to 
grow to perfection and bear in abundance in a 
certain district, there large acreage has been 
planted. 

Here good markets have been established for 
handling this product, and this district becomes 
the center of this industry. Other districts, with 
an inferior product and poor markets, can not 
compete. Thus wx see, the future grower who 
intends to plant a certain kind of product, must 
locate in the district adapted to his needs. 

By segregating the state into five districts it is 
an easy matter to then show after the heading of 
each product what district is best adapted for it. 
To arrive at this conclusion many things have 
been taken in consideration. The district that 
has always shown the greatest tonnage, or quan- 
tity produced, cjuality of product, markets, rail- 
road transportation, future possibilities in land 
values, irrigation and other features has been 
carefully studied, and even then, in some cases, 
it has been hard to decide. 

For illustration, under the heading of peaches 
the best districts given, in order named, are : Sac- 
ramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, south of 
San Francisco Bay, north of San Francisco Bay 
and Southern California, meaning that the future 
possibilities for peach growing is best in the 
Sacramento Valley, with the San Joaquin Valley 
a close second. And why? The Sacramento Val- 
ley is and always has produced the most fine 
peaches ; with good canneries, shipping and pack- 

28 



iiig" houses for markets, and with much good 
peach land for sale at reasonable prices, it gives 
the planter opportunities not to be overlooked. 

Thus we have these five great agricultural 
districts, each one producing and supplying the 
world with its own particular kind of product 
and each one ofi'ering splendid inducements to 
the farmer. 

Each of these districts is described as a whole, 
taking all the level lands and territory ad- 
joining. 

Southern Lying south of the Tehachapi Moun- 
California tains, bordering the Pacific Ocean 
District clear to the Mexico line and bounded 
by mountain ranges on the east, is lo- 
cated the district known the world over as 
"sunny" Southern California. This entire dis- 
trict is cut up by low mountain ranges, making 
it a country of mountains and valleys. Most of 
these valleys are very fertile and are producing 
large crops of California products under a very 
complete system of irrigation. 

The Southern California district excels in 
oranges, lemons and grape fruit, also in English 
walnuts, cabbage and celery. Millions of dollars 
worth of these products are shipped each season. 

The entire district is well served with railroad 
transportation, the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe 
and Salt Pake systems, with their many branch 
lines, reaching all points. Many good cities and 
towns are scattered over the entire district, Los 

29 



Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Redlands, San 
Bernardino, Pomona, Santa Ana and Long 
Beach being some of the principal places. Good 
country roads, a fine public school system and 
much good land makes this district very attrac- 
tive to the farmer. 

San Joaquin Directly north from Southern 

Valley District California and just across the 
Tehachapi mountain range, be- 
gins the largest agricultural district in Califor- 
nia — the great San Joaquin Valley, containing 
over four million acres of rich farming land. This 
valley extends from the Tehachapi Mountains 
north for two hundred miles to San Francisco 
Bay, with an average width of about forty miles, 
from the Sierra Nevada Mountains running along 
the eastern boundary to the Coast Range moun- 
tains on the west. The San Joaquin River flows 
northward through the center of the valley, 
emptying into San Francisco Bay, with numerous 
streams of more or less importance flowing into 
it from the Sierra Nevada Range. 

This entire valley is very level, with abund- 
ance of water, and thousands of acres of rich 
farming land capable of producing splendid crops 
of alfalfa, fruits and vegetables. Much of this 
A'alley is now producing grain, but with the ad- 
vent of much irrigation, and the cutting up of 
large tracts, this old wheat land is fast being 
turned over to the smaller farmer. This valley 
already excels in alfalfa and raisin grapes and 

30 



produces large crops of fruits and vegetables as 
well. 

The Southern Pacific and Santa Fe Railroads 
pass through the valley and these roads, with 
many branch lines, reach all the best cities and 
pass through all the highly cultivated sections. 
Fresno, Stockton, Visalia, Hanford, Modesto, 
Porterville, Merced and Bakersfield are all 
thrifty market places and growing centers. 

Opportunities for fruit and alfalfa farming in 
many sections of this district is good and won- 
derful developments can be looked for in the 
near future. 

Sacramento The Sacramento Valley is next 

Valley District in size to the San Joac^uin Val- 
ley district and extends north 
from San Francisco Bay two hundred miles, al- 
most to Mt. Shasta, with an average width of 
about thirty miles. The Sierra Nevada Moun- 
tains form the eastern boundary for the entire 
length, and the Coast Range Mountains parallel 
the western side. These two mountain ranges 
form a junction at the head of the valley, shutting 
the level lands in on three sides. Over three 
million acres of farming lands lie in this great 
district. 

These lands are very deep and rich, sloping to 
the south and center, with the Sacramento River 
flowing south through the valley into San Fran- 
cisco Bay. Many smaller streams that flow from 
the mountains from both sides find their wav into 



31 



the Sacramento River, making it the largest 
stream in the state. 

For 3ears this valley was noted for its im- 
mense crops of wheat, and even yet much of the 
land is still producing wheat, but time has made 
many changes, and now the valley has a reputa- 
tion for producing large crops of deciduous 
fruits, and excels in peaches, pears, figs and 
other fruit crops, and also produces great quan- 
tities of vegetables, wdiile alfalfa does exceed- 
ingly well, under irrigation. 

Two lines of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the 
Western Pacific Railroad steamers on the river, 
and several electric railroad lines furnish splen- 
did transportation. With thousands of acres of 
rich soil, abimdance of water for irrigation, good 
markets, a fine country road and school system, 
makes this district a very attractive one for the 
small farmer. The larger cities are Sacramento, 
Chico, Redding, Marysville, Woodland, Red 
Blufif, Colusa, Oroville, \^acaville, Gridley, Au- 
burn and Corning. All of these cities are sur- 
rounded by a very highly cultivated country and 
handle millions of dollars worth of products. This 
district is capable of supporting a very dense 
population, and the future will find it one of 
^mall farms. 



32 



North of North of San Francisco Bay and 

San Francisco west of the Sacramento Valley, 
Bay District b'i^'^g close to the coast, is lo- 
cated the district known as 
north of San Francisco Bay. This district is 
made up of several valleys, the Napa and So- 
noma being the two largest, with several smaller 
valleys, either wholly or partly surrounded by 
mountains. This entire district is more or less 
mountainous and broken, but the valleys where 
the level lands lie are very productive and beau- 
tifully located. Being so close to San Francisco, 
where the markets take everything produced, 
niakes this one of the favored districts for berries, 
small fruits and poultry. This district also pro- 
duces the most wine grapes, with many fine win- 
eries for handling the output from the vineyards. 
The leading cities here are Santa Rosa, Peta- 
luma, Napa, Healdsburg, Vallejo and many 
smaller places all offering good opportunities in 
the country surrounding them. With fine coun- 
try roads, a splendid school system and steam 
and electric railroads connecting all points, and 
the beautiful San Francisco Bay close by, offers 
inducements to the small farmer that are unex- 
celled. 

South of The district known as South of 

San Francisco San Francisco Bay begins on the 
Bay District southern and eastern shores of 
the bay, w^ith the Santa Clara 
Valley, embraces this valley and takes in the 



33 



Pajaro and Salinas Valleys further south. The 
mountain range that parallels the western side 
of the San Joaquin District forms a natural 
boundary between these two districts. South of 
San Francisco Bay District is made up of a series 
of long valleys, running south for many miles, 
and almost or quite touching the Pacific Ocean 
on the west. These valleys contain thousands 
of acres of fertile level lands and much of it is 
planted to orchards of prunes and apples, mak- 
ing this district the largest producer of these 
fruits. 

Yet thousands of acres of this fine land is yet 
unplanted, which makes it a place where good 
opportunities for future planting can be had. 
W'ith good railroad transportation, fine market 
centers, and a steady growing population in the 
country and cities, assures the farmer a good 
future income from his lands. 

Many splendid cities and towns are scattered 
over this entire district, and the school system is 
first class. San Jose, Santa Clara, Watsonville 
and Salinas are the larger places, and each of 
these cities are surrounded by a very productive 
country, producing a great variety of fancy Cal- 
ifornia fruits, berries, etc. 

Products The following pages are devoted 

by Varieties to California products that are 
profitably grown in commercial 
quantities, on small tracts. Each product, be it 
fruit, vegetable, nut or berry, has two or more 

34 



distinct varieties. The best variety of each pro- 
duct for the grower to plant is shown first, other 
varieties following in order. The best districts 
for growing each product is also shown in order 
as w^ell as the best soil to select. Distance apart 
to plant is given, and it is also shown to what use 
each variety is best adapted, whether for can- 
ning, shipping or drying. 

]Much study and great care has been exercised 
in making these segregations in order that the 
beginner may receive reliable instructions in se- 
lecting the best districts for growing each prod- 
uct, past results and future possibilities have been 
studied, and then only the best varieties are 
given. 

A careful study of these segregations will be of 
great benefit to the person who wishes to farm in 
California. 

Deciduous Deciduous fruits are produced in all 
Fruits the farming districts of the state, but 

the great bulk of these fruits are 
grown in central and northern California in the 
great valleys and along the mountain ranges. 

The harvest season begins about May 1st, and 
continues until November. During these six 
months, immense tonnage is handled, thousands 
of cars are loaded and shipped East fresh, the 
numerous canneries are working and paying out 
millions of dollars for fruit labor and material, 
while all the help available is busy picking fruit, 
and drying it in the sun. Later this dried fruit 

35 



is hauled to the packing houses, where it is 
cleaned, packed and shipped. 

Young Trees Most of the best fruits of Cali- 
fornia are grown on "budded 
trees," that is, trees that have been budded when 
young, from some well-known variety. 

''Seedling" trees are trees that have grown up 
direct from seed, without "budding," and seldom 
produce first-class fruit. For illustration : sup- 
pose a farmer w^ants to plant twenty acres to 
Phillip cling peaches, one of the best canning va- 
rieties, and desires to grow the young trees him- 
self. He should proceed like this : in the fall 
of the year he should procure several sacks of 
peach pits, preferably from seedling trees, be 
cause the young trees, grown from pits, pro- 
duced from seedling trees, are hardy and very 
rapid growers. 

These pits should be spread upon a bed of 
sand, and covered over with a light layer of sand. 
Soon the pits begin to soften and the kernels be- 
gin to swell, bursting open the pits and sending 
out tiny roots. Then the sand should be re- 
moved, the sprouted kernels taken from the pits 
and planted in nursery rows. These rows should 
be made in loose, rich, warm soil, about three 
feet apart, and the kernels planted shallow, about 
eight inches apart in rows. Soon the kernels be- 
gin to grow and take root, and send up shoots 
through the surface, and by the middle of June 
they are ready to bud, the young trees being 

36 



from eight to twelve inches tall, and as large as x 
lead pencil. An orchard of good thrifty young 
peach trees should be selected, of the Phillip cling 
variety, that has shown fine fruit, and before bud- 
ding time, small lind^s should be cut from the 
trees, being careful that these limbs are covered 
with healthy buds. 

These limbs should be put in a handy place, and 
in June a budder should be employed who under- 
stands the business. The budder makes a small 
slit in the 3^oung tree near the ground, takes a 
bud from a limb and inserts it into the slit, wrap- 
ping the wound above and below the bud with 
string. As soon as the bud begins to grow well 
into the slit, the young tree is cut ofif just above 
the bud, and all twigs, except the bud removed, 
giving to the bud all the nourishment from the 
roots of the young tree. This causes the bud to 
grow rapidly, and by the coming March, the 
farmer has a tree, ready to plant, known as a 
"June bud," with a good strong root, and a bud 
that has grown to eight to twenty inches tall. 
Many farmers prefer to take the tree up at this 
time and plant it in the orchard, but by leaving it 
in the nursery row one year longer, it makes a 
much more vigorous tree, known as a ''yearling," 
with heavy roots and a strong body from three to 
four feet tall. 

A "June bud" is about one year old from the 
time of planting the seed until time to plant in 
orchard, while a "yearling tree" is two years old. 
It is generally customary to buy trees from a re- 



37 



liable nursery firm, and they generally supply 
'Vearlings." The nursery people follow the plant- 
ing and budding on a large scale, and have thous- 
ands of fine trees of all varieties for sale, ready 
to plant, which gives the planter two years start. 

Some trees like figs and olives are started from 
cuttings, like grapes; that is, small branches are 
cut from old trees, and planted in the nursery 
rows, wdiere they sprout and are soon ready for 
the orchard without budding. In planting young 
trees, especially "June buds," care should be 
taken, not to break olT the bud, while handling. 

Budded trees always "reproduce" or bring forth 
fruit like that produced by the tree from which 
the bud was taken. 

Apples Grown in all districts of the state. Does 
best along the coast and in high altitudes 
and mountainous sections. 

Soil — Requires deep, loose, warm, sedimentary 
or sandy loam, well drained on surface. 

Best Districts — In order named : South of San 
Francisco Bay, North of San Francisco Bay, 
Southern California, Sacramento Valley, San Joa- 
quin Valley. 

Plant — February or ]\Iarch, 30 to 40 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — Newton Pippin, best winter 
variety, and best for grower to plant, fine shipper 
and keeper. Bellflower, good keeper and ship- 
per. Langford, grown quite successfully. White 
Pearmain, good seller. White Astrachan, early 
summer kind, good seller, grows fine in the Sac- 

38 



ramento Valley. Skinner seedling, good early fall 
kind, heavy bearer, and good seller, does best in 
Pajaro Valley. Gravenstein, does well in the 
mountain districts, good bearer and seller. 

Apricots Soil — Sedimentary loam, sandy loam 
and light, coarse soils with moisture 
from beneath soil, or from surface irrigation. 

Best Districts — South of San Francisco Bay, 
Sacramento Valley, North of San Francisco Bay, 
San Joaquin Valley, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 20 to 24 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For Canning, Blenheim, Moor- 
park, Royal ; for drying, Blenheim, Moorpark, 
Royal ; for shipping — Blenheim, Moorpark, Alex- 
ander, Royal. 

Cherries Soil — Loose loam, sandy loam, and 
deep warm soils, well drained and ex- 
posed to sun. 

Best Districts — South of San Francisco Bay, 
north of San Francisco Bay, Sacramento Valley, 
San Joaquin Valley, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 24 to 30 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For canning. Royal Ann, Black 
Tartarian, White Centennial ; for shipping. White 
Royal Ann, Black Tartarian, White Centennial, 
Black Bing, White Gov. Wood. 

Figs Soil — Warm, dry sandy loam and light 
soils, sub-irrigated, and well drained, well 
exposed to sun. 

39 



Best Districts — Sacramento Valley, San Joa- 
quin Valley, south of San Francisco Bay, north 
of San Francisco Bay, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 40 to 50 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For drying and shipping, 
White Adriatic, Black Mission, Calimyrna. 

Nectarines Soil — Moist sedimentary loam, 
sandy loam. 

Best Districts — Sacramento Valley, San Joa- 
quin Valley, south of San Francisco Bay, north of 
San Francisco Bay, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 20 to 24 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For canning, shipping and dry- 
ing, Stanwick, Lord Napier, New White. 

Peaches Grown in all districts ; does best along 
the streams in the large valleys, where 
the soil is deep and moist. 

Soil — Rich sedimentary loam, or sandy loan), 
well drained and with abundance of sub-irriga- 
tion. 

Best Distances — Sacramento Valley, San Joa- 
quin Valley, south of San Francisco Bay, north 
of San Francisco bay. Southern California. 

Best Varieties : For canning — Phillip cling, 
probably the best canning variety, and the best 
seller and keeper of all the canning varieties ; Tus- 
can cling — Fine canner, good bearer and seller ; 
Levi cling — Good canner, hardy, late bearer, good 
seller; McDevitt — Mid-summer canner, good va- 
riety ; Lovell freestone — Best freestone peach for 

40 



canning; Aluir freestone — Good canner. heavy 
l^earer, l^est all round peach. For drying — Best 
drying peaches are all freestones, yellow in color, 
and generally heavy bearers (Muir, Crawford, 
Foster, Lovell, Salway. For shipping — Free- 
stones (Elberta, Crawford, Foster, Muir). Cling- 
stones — (McDevitt, Seller). 

Pears Along the streams where the soil is deep 
and moist are the best pear orchards. 
Pears stand more water than any other fruit. 

Best Districts — Sacramento Valley, north of 
San Francisco Bay, San Joaquin Valley, south of 
San Francisco Bay, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 24 to 30 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For canning, drying and ship- 
ping, the Bartlett pear is by far the great leader, 
in fact it is the only pear to handle. Other va- 
rieties that are used to some extent are the Kieffer 
and Winter Nelis. 

Plums Soil — Sedimentar}" loam, sandy loam and 
coarse light soil. 

Best Districts — Sacramento Valley, north of 
San Francisco Bay, San Joaquin Valley, south of 
San Francisco Bay, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 20 to 24 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — For canning : Yellow Egg, 
Green Gage, Reine Claude, Damson. For drying: 
Yellow Egg, Green Gage, Gros (all varieties are 
dried). For shipping: Tragedy, Clyman, Gros, 



41 



Kelsey, Wickson, Egg, Green Gage, and many 
other varieties. 

Prunes Soil — Deep rich soil and sandy loam, 
well drained. 

Best Districts — South of San Francisco Bay, 
Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley, north of 
San Francisco Bay, Southern California. 

Plant — February or March, 20 to 24 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — All prunes are dried in the sun, 
and the French (Petite) is by far the best to plant, 
being a good bearer, and coming in early in the 
fall, before rains start. Other good varieties are 
Imperial and Silver. 

Grapes Each season the production of grapes in 
California amounts to more than twenty 
million dollars, including raisin, table and wine 
grapes. Every farming district in the state pro- 
duces grapes, and even high up the mountain 
slopes splendid vineyards are growing, and it is 
estimated that there is over ten million acres of 
land in the state that will produce them first-class. 
As the future outlook for vineyard products is 
good, and as much good grape land can be had at 
very low prices, the increase in acreage planted 
will continue rapidly, with good income for the 
grower. Three distinct kinds of grapes are 
grown in large quantities, namely, for dried 
raisins, for table use and for wine. 



42 



Raisin Grapes The three best varieties of raisin 
grapes are, in order named, Mus- 
cat, Thompson Seedless and Seedless Sultana. 

The San Joaquin Valley offers the best induce- 
ments for growing the Muscat, while the 
Thompson Seedless and Seedless Sultana does 
best in the Sacramento Valley. 

Soil — Best soil for raisin grapes is the light, 
loose, warm, sandy soils, and the drier, coarser 
soils along the mountains. All raisin grapes are 
dried in the sun, and generally sold to the large 
packing houses, in the "sweat box,'' or before 
they are stemmed. 

Plant — 8 by 8 or 10 by 10 feet, according to 
variety and soil. For planting some growers pre- 
fer to use the cuttings. That is, the branches 
from old vines are cut off about 8 inches long, and 
planted in the vineyard direct. 

But the most successful plan, is to take the 
cuttings, and plant them in nursery rows, a few 
inches apart. This planting is done in January, 
February or INIarch. Soon these cuttings begin to 
grow, and send out young leaves. One year from 
this time they are taken up and planted in vine- 
vard. 

Vines are pruned each fall or winter, and most 
of the varieties require close pruning, cutting off" 
all branches within a few inches of body. Some 
few varieties do better by leaving long branches 
which are trained on stake, wire or arbor. 



43 



Table Grapes Table, or fresh grapes, are used 
extensively in home markets, and 
shipped in refrigerator cars to all the large cities 
of the United States. 

The most essential part in growing table grapes 
for the market is to get the rich color, and this 
seems to be obtained to perfection in the Sacra- 
mento and San Joaquin Valley Districts, while 
other districts are in order named, north of San 
Francisco Bay, south of San Francisco Bay, and 
Southern California. 

Soil — Warm, strong soil along the mountains, 
exposed to the sun, and without much dampness. 

Plant — January, February and March, 8 by 8 or 
10 by 10 feet apart. 

Best Varieties — Flame Tokay, Black Hamburg, 
Cornichon, Emperor, Rose of Peru, Malaga. 

Wine Grapes The most successful wine grape 
district, and without doubt the 
district that ofifers the best advantages is north of 
San Francisco Bay. This section now produces 
great quantities of fine wine grapes, and the soil 
seems especially adapted to growing grapes. 

Southern California also grows splendid wine 
grapes, and comes second in production. Other 
districts where they can be grown successfully are 
San Joaquin Valley, Sacramento \'alley and 
South of San Francisco Bay. 

Soil — Light, warm, well drained soil. 

Plant — January, February or March, 8 by 8, or 
10 by 10 feet apart. 

44 



Uest Varieties — Red Zinfandel, White Burger, 
Red Petit Syrhas, White Golden Chasselas, Black 
Mission. 

Citrus Fruits Oranges, lemons and pomelos 
(grape fruit), are the citrus fruits 
produced in California in commercial quantities. 
Each season California produces and markets at 
good prices about thirty million dollars worth of 
citrus fruits. 

Nine-tenths of all this fruit is grown in the 
Southern California District. The San Joaquin 
Valley District comes second and the Sacramento 
Valley third, in opportunities for the citrus fruit 
producer. 

Citrus fruit growing, as followed in California, 
is a very pleasant and profitable business, and one 
that will never be overdone, as only a few coun- 
tries in the world are capable of producing such 
fancy products. Already in each citrus fruit 
center the growers are combined, and own their 
own packing houses for handling the crops, and 
many private concerns are also in the field, pay- 
ing cash for the fruit, delivered to their houses, or 
on the trees. Thousands of acres of good soil for 
citrus fruits is still unplanted, which gives the 
beginner a good opportunity to enter the business. 

Oranges The Washington navel, a seedless 
orange, is the best variety to plant. 
This orange begins to ripen early, about Decem- 
ber 1st, in some districts, and the harvest con- 

45 



tiniies throughout the months of December, Jan- 
uary and February and March. 

Millions of dollars worth of these oranges are 
shipped to the markets annually, and few people 
in the United States have missed the treat of eat- 
ing of this luscious fruit. Being an orange of high 
color, fine flavor, and a good keeper and shipper, 
it has found its way into every market in the 
United States. 

The navel orange tree begins to bear profit- 
ably when five years old, and improves with age. ■ 
Being a hardy variety and a sure bearer, the re- 
turns to the s^rower increases from vear to vear. 
When the oranges begin to ripen they are cut 
from the branches and delivered in bulk to the 
packing houses, where they are graded for size, 
packed in fancy boxes, loaded into cars and ship- 
ped to the large distributing points. 

The Valencia orange comes next in importance, 
and begins to ripen about April 1st, and are all 
harvested by June 30th. They are handled the 
same as the navel, the only difference being in 
the ripening season. 

Mediterranean Sweets is another popular 
orange and is grovv^n quite successfully in some 
sections. 

The orange is one fruit that is always in the 
market every month in the year; furthermore, 
oranges hang on the trees. in good condition the 
entire year if not picked. 

Oranges are grown at least for home use in 
every farming section of the state ; they are prob- 

46 



ably the most common fruit in California. Every 
farmer, if he so desires, can have his own orange 
trees, loaded with the golden fruit every month 
in the year. 

Soil — Oranges, unlike most California fruit, 
must have surface irrigation. A light warm soil, 
well drained, on surface and also beneath the sur- 
face, produces the best results. Some of the best 
orange groves are growing on steep hill sides. 

Plant — January, February or March, 20 to 24 
feet apart. Careful cultivation, irrigation and fer- 
tilization is required, as well as spraying and 
fumigating for insect pests. 

Lemons The future grower of fancy California 
lemons will have the world for a mar- 
ket. Lemons are fast coming into general use 
by the masses, and the consumption of this fruit 
even at the present time is enormous. 

Most physicians recommend the free use of 
lemons in many cases of sickness, and the fruit 
is now recognized as one of the best for family 
use. Lemons are picked and packed during the 
winter and spring months, and are handled by the 
large shipping concerns, the same as oranges. 

Irrigation, fertilization and spraying are re- 
quired. Southern California offers the best field 
for the grower, where most of the best groves are 
located. 

Soil — Soil similar to orange land can be used, 
and some of the best sections for lemons lie near 
the Coast. 

47 



Best Varieties — Eureka, Lisbon. 
Plant — January, February or March, 20 to 24 
feet apart. 

Pomelos Pomelos, or grape fruit, furnishes 
one of the most delicious breakfast 
dishes, and are fast finding a good market all 
over the United States. Like the orange and 
lemon, Southern California offers the best advan- 
tages for the grower, and the same instructions 
can be followed for planting, harvesting and mar- 
keting. 

Olives Fine olive orchards are now producing 
in every farming district in California, 
and olive plants for making oil and pickled olives 
are turning out first-class goods. 

These plants buy the olive, either on the tree 
or in bulk, from the grower, paying cash, and are 
very reliable concerns in every way. 

Fancy California olive oil is very clean and 
absolutely pure, and no other country can com- 
pete with it in this respect, while the ripe pickled 
olives made by these concerns are purity itself, 
and a very healthy and wholesome food. 

The life of an olive tree is forever, a slow but 
steady grower and a good bearer, ripening in the 
early winter. 

Soil — Light gravel and sandy loam is best 
adapted for good results. 

Plant — January, February or March, 24 to 34 
feet apart. 

48 



Best Varieties — ^Mission, Manzanilla, Nava- 
dillo. 

Nuts The two best kinds of nuts to plant in 
California are the walnut and the almond. 
The rich soil and perfect climate combined seem 
to be especially adapted to the growing of these 
splendid nuts. 

Walnuts and almonds are used extensively by 
confectioners, and are sold in every market in 
the w^orld for table use. As they are not perish- 
able, and can be handled and shipped without 
fear of damage, the future outlook for increased 
planting and profitable production can be readily 
seen. 

These nuts are grown successfully in all the 
farming districts of the State, and any section 
will produce them, at least for home use. 

Large concerns and growers' associations han- 
dle the output, shipping to all distributing points 
in the United States in carload lots. The harvest 
time begins in the late summer, when the nuts 
begin to dry on the trees. Long sticks are used 
for knocking them off, after which they are gath- 
ered up, the shucks removed, and they are sacked 
and delivered for shipment. 

Walnuts Each season about eight thousand 
tons of walnuts are grown in Califor- 
nia, which represents about one and a half mil- 
lion dollars, gross proceeds. The United States 
each season consumes over five million dollars 

49 



worth of these nuts. As California produces 
most of the wahiuts grown in the United States, 
it can be seen that over one-half of all the walnuts 
consumed must be shipped in from foreign coun- 
tries. This leaves a splendid field in California 
for the grower, as fear of over-production is not 
considered. 

Soil — Deep, rich loam, or sandy loam, well 
drained on surface and below, with either a good 
sub-irrigated soil or surface irrigation. 

Plant — January, February or March, 30 to 50 
feet apart, according to variety and soil. 

Best Districts — In order named. Southern Cal- 
ifornia, north of San Francisco Bay, south of San 
Francisco Bay, Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin 
Valley. 

Best Varieties — Franquette, Santa Barbara 
soft-shell, IMaynette, Parisienne, Concord. 

Almonds The average annual output of almonds 
from California amounts to about 
twenty-five hundred tons, valued at about live 
hundred thousand dollars, and as the consump- 
tion of almonds in the United States each season 
amounts to much more than this, foreign coun- 
tries must supply the balance, leaving a very 
profitable field for the future producer. 

Almond trees bear well when four or five years 
old, and with increasing age the crop becomes 
heavier. This assures the grower quick returns 
and increased profit from year to year. 



50 



Soil — Sandy loam and lighter soils, well 
drained, and with siifficient moisture. 

Plant — February or ]\Iarch, 24 to 30 feet apart. 

Best Districts — In order named, Sacramento 
Valley, San Joaciuin Valley, north of San Fran- 
cisco Bay, south of San Francisco Bay, Southern 
California. 

Best Varieties — IXL, Nonpareil, Ne Plus 
Ultra, Drake Seedling, Jordan. 

Berries The population of California consumes 
large ciuantities of berries, especially so 
in the large cities. The canneries use them ex- 
tensively for preserves, jellies and jams. 

This makes the berry business a good one, as 
berries are ready for the market during April, 
May and June, when few of the other products 
are yet ripe, giving abundance of labor for han- 
dling the crop. Each grower farming a small 
tract can greatly increase his income by planting 
a patch of berries. 

Berries of all kinds do Avell in all the farming 
districts, and good markets for the grower are 
found at home. The most profitable locations 
for growing berries are those near the large cities 
or in the districts where canneries are located. 

Soil — Select loose, warm soil, sediment loam 
or sandy loam that can be irrigated. See that it 
is well drained on surface and well exposed to 
sun. Slightly sloping hillsides or rolling land, 
where a good underground drainage can be had, 
does well. Pulverize the soil into a fine, loose 

51 



body before planting, and plant after the sun has 
begun to warm the soil. 

Plant — February, March or April, according to 
soil and weather conditions. Young plants can 
be obtained from nursery or some other grower, 
and these plants should be planted immediately 
after removing from nursery row. 

Best Districts — We can not recommend any 
particular district, but the best markets are found 
in the thickly settled sections. 

North of San Francisco P>ay and south of San 
Francisco Bay have always been favored places 
on account of the nearness to San Francisco, 
while Southern California, near Los Angeles, pro- 
duces large cpiantities. 

The Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Val- 
ley produce berries well, and they are used there 
in wholesale lots in the canneries. 

Best V'^arieties — Each kind of berry has several 
varieties, but only the best is used, which should 
be left to the grower's own judgment. 

Strawberries — Begin to appear on the markets 
in March, and continue for several months. 
Plant one foot apart in rows two feet apart. 

Blackberries — On the market two or three 
months during early summer. Plant three feet 
apart in rows five feet apart. 

Raspberries — On market in early summer. 
Plant three feet apart in rows five feet apart. 

Loganberries — On market in early summer, 
and are very heavy bearers. Plant three feet 
apart in rows five feet apart. 

52 



Gooseberries — On market in early summer. 
Plant four feet apart in rows five feet apart. 

Currants — Ripen in early summer. Plant four 
feet apart in rows five feet apart. 

Sugar The culture of sugar beets in California is 
Beets becoming one of vast importance, and 
there are no less than ten large sugar 
factories located in different parts of the State, 
manufacturing annually over five million dollars 
worth of sugar from the beet. 

Any farming district in the state where a fac- 
tory is located, offers good inducements to the 
beet grower. 

Soil — Rich sediment or loam soil, with much 
moisture or abundance of surface irrigation, 
where drainage is good. 

Plant — January, February or March. Sow in 
rows about eighteen inches apart, and after 
young plants begin to grow they should be 
thinned out in rows to about eight inches apart. 

Harvest — Harvest begins late in the summer 
and is done by running a plow, especially made 
for the work, between the rows, which splits the 
soil, after which the beets are easily pulled out 
by hand. Then they are topped and delivered 
to the factory in bulk. 

Sugar Beets, Circular No. 13, College of Agri- 
culture, Berkeley, Cal. 



53 



Vegetables The vegetable output of California 
amounts to over eighteen million 
dollars annually, including those that are shipped 
fresh and those that are canned. 

All the vegetables of the United States are pro- 
duced in every farming district of California, and 
every farmer can have on his own table fresh 
vegetables from his own garden every day in 
the year. 

The best vegetables to grow for profit are 
those that can be shipped to outside districts, 
either canned or fresh, including asparagus, rhu- 
barb, cabbage, celery, melons, tomatoes, peas, 
beans, onions, and Irish and sweet potatoes. 

The rich, moist, loamy soils along the streams 
in the Sacramento and San Joaquin V^alleys pro- 
duce large quantities of asparagus, melons, toma- 
toes, peas, beans, onions, and potatoes, while 
Southern California ships most of the celery, rhu- 
barb and cabbage. 

Every month in the year, carloads of some 
kind of vegetables are shipped from some district. 

Each kind of vegetable has several varieties, 
and the best of these varieties should be planted 
by the growxr after a careful study of the soil 
and markets. 

Soil— Good, rich soil should be selected, either 
the deep sedimentary loam soil along the streams, 
that contain sufficient moisture to grow vegeta- 
bles without surface irrigation, or the sandy 
loam, well drained, and located so surface irriga- 



54 



tioii can be used. Careful cultivation should be 
practiced for best results. 

Asparagus Can be grown for home use and 
local market anywhere in Califor- 
nia. Grown extensively for canning along the 
Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers, where large 
canneries are located that handle the output. 
Begins to appear on the market early in March, 
and continues for several months. 

Planting — Select loose, rich, warm soil with 
plenty of moisture. Soil with considerable sand 
well mixed is best. Plow deep and pulverize 
well. Young plants one or two years old should 
be planted. Plant in February, March or April, 
twenty to thirty inches apart in rows three or 
four feet apart. Plants grow rapidly and take 
root and spread out, and in two years begin to 
give enough to pay well, and increases as the 
plant grows. Each spring the bed should be 
covered over with loose sandy soil, and when the 
shoots grow up above surface four to eight 
inches, they are ready to cut. Use sharp tool 
and cut shoots just beneath surface. 

Best Varieties — Mammoth White, Colossal, 
Palmetto. 

Rhubarb Grown in all sections for home use. 
and also shipped out. Soil should be 
rich and warm and well cultivated. 

Planting — Use young plants, and plant in rows 
three to four feet apart, leaving space enough 

55 



between rows for cultivation. Young plants 
should be placed in rows 16 to 24 inches apart. 
When plant grows from six to twelve inches 
high, cut off near ground with sharp instrument. 
Best Varieties — Burbank's Crimson, Monarch, 
Dodge Prolific. 

Celery Grown all over the State for home use 
and local markets, and produced in large 
quantities, especially in some sections of South- 
ern California and shipped out in carload lots. 

The main feature in growing celery is to get a 
tender, crisp article, white in color. The peat 
lands of Southern California seem to be espe- 
cially adapted for producing these results. 

Plant — Eight to sixteen inches apart, in rows 
three to four feet apart. 

Best Varieties — AMiite Plume, Golden Self- 
Bleaching. 

Cabbage Grown in all farming districts for 
home use, and shipped out in carload 
lots from some of the favored sections. 

Rich loam soil should be used. Seed should 
be planted early in hotbeds, and when plant 
has put forth four leaves they should be trans- 
planted into garden. Plant 24 inches apart in 
rows three to four feet apart. 

Best Varieties — Early Winningatadt, Late 
Drum Head, Late Dutch. 



56 



Tomatoes Can be grown well in all districts for 
home use, local markets, and for the 
large canning concerns. Soil should be loose 
loam or sandy loam, with abundance of moisture 
or surface irrigation. Seed should be planted in 
boxes or hotbed, early. Later young plants 
should be transplanted to garden or field. Plant 
24 inches apart in rows three to four feet apart. 
In picking for the market, care should be used 
not to bruise the tomatoes. Where delivered to 
cannery in large quantities, they should be picked 
and placed in boxes holding from thirty to fifty 
pounds each, and hauled or shipped immediately 
after picking. 

Best Varieties — Trophy, Livingston Beauty, 
and many other good varieties. 

Beans Extensively grown, especially for dried 
beans. Fresh green beans can be grown 
for home use or local markets in all sections. 

Most beans grown for drying are produced 
without irrigation and are planted in the districts 
where the soil is moist and rich. 

Seed can be planted any time from March to 
]\Iay. Plant in rows 12 to 24 inches apart, rows 
3 to 4 feet apart. Cover lightly with loose, warm 
soil, and cultivate carefully. Beans for table use 
can be had as early as June, with continuous crop 
all summer. Where grown for drying, they are 
harvested in late summer after the vines begin 
to dry up. The vines are cut off near ground and 
stacked and then threshed out either by machine 

57 



or hand ; the beans are sacked and sold by the 
hundred pounds. 

Best Varieties — Bayos, Small White. Red 
Kidney. 

Peas Early peas are ready for the table about 
March, and continue during summer. 
Canneries begin to consume them about May and 
finish the pack in June. 

Soil with moisture should be selected. Plant 
the seed 4 to 12 inches apart in rows 2 to 4 feet 
apart. 

Best Varieties — Champion, Pride Market. 

Onions Fresh onions for home use can be had 
from gardens practically the year 
around in any farming district. Onions for the 
market, that is, dry product, are harvested in late 
summer. 

Plant 8 to 12 inches apart in rows 2 to 4 feet 
apart, and keep the soil loose and well cultivated. 

Best Varieties — Spanish King, Yellow Globe, 
Red Withersfield. 

Irish Select loamy or sandy loam soil, with 

Potatoes moisture from beneath surface or with 
surface irrigation. Plow deep and 
well, and pulverize fine. Plow shallow rows 3 to 
4 feet apart. Select good, sound potatoes, cut 
in quarters and drop in rows 2 to 3 feet apart. 
Cover 3 to 6 inches deep, keep well cultivated. 



58 



When ready to harvest either use hand fork for 
digging" or plow for turning over hills. 

Plant any time from February to May, accord- 
ing to soil, kind of potato desired, etc. 

Best Varieties — Burbank, Early Rose, River 
Red. 

Sweet Sandy loam is the best soil to use, 

Potatoes with enough irrigation to guard against 
drying out. Plow well and harrow 
down smooth. Young plants can be obtained in 
any farming district, or they can be grown by the 
farmer by making a bed of sand in a warm spot 
and placing potatoes, either whole or halved, on 
sand and covering over wath light layer of sand. 
Soon the sprouts begin to shoot up through sand, 
and when four or six leaves show they should be 
pulled out and transplanted into garden or field. 
Plant 24 to 36 inches apart in rows 3 to 4 feet 
apart. Place young plant in soil and pour some 
w^ater around it, and keep well cultivated. Late 
in summer, when ready to harvest, use fork or 
plow for uncovering. 

Melons For both watermelons and cantaloupes 
the same system of handling is used ; 
loamy or sandy loam soil, well watered and 
drained. Seed can be planted in April or May, 
direct in the field, putting a dozen seed in each 
hill, and when the young plant begins to grow, 
thin out, leaving four only. 



59 



Or, seed can be planted in boxes or hotbed, and 
when plant is of sufficient size, transplant into 
garden or field, in hills 4 by 4 feet, or even as 
much as 8 by 8 feet. Distance must be judged 
by soil, variety of melon, etc. 

There are many good varieties, and selection 
should "be made after locating, as some varieties 
do well in some districts and not so well in 
others. 

Cucumbers Cucumbers are grown for home 
markets and are shipped to outside 
points in crates. Same kind of soil as that used 
for melons. Plant 4 by 4 feet apart. Either plant 
seed direct into garden or field or use hotbed or 
boxes until plants are ready to transplant. Cu- 
cumbers begin to bear in short time after plant- 
ing, and they turn ofif large quantities from each 
vine. 

Best Varieties — Cumberland, Everbearing. 

Lettuce Can be grown all over the State, and 
can be had most any month from the 
garden. Use loose, warm soil. Plant seed in 
rows or bed, and thin out to 4 to 8 inches apart. 
Best Varieties — California Cream Butter, Big 
Boston, Immensity. 

Artichokes Plant in warm, rich soil. Start 
seeds under glass or in hotbed. Re- 
plant in March or April to garden, in rows 3 feet 
apart. Set plants 12 to 16 inches apart in rows. 
Best Varieties — Green Globe, Jerusalem. 



60 



Egg Start under g-lass, and replant to garden 
Plant in April or May, from 12 to 18 inches 
apart in rows 3 feet apart. 
Best \^arieties — Black Beauty, New York im- 
proved. 

Cauliflower Use same kind of soil and same 
system of planting as cabbage. 
Cauliflower is a fine early winter vegetable, and 
can be produced in all sections. 

Best Varieties — California Wonder, Autumn 
Giant, Early Snowball. 

Pumpkins Both pumpkins and squash are 
and Squash grown by all farmers for home use, 
and also used extensively by the 
farmer who has dairy cows and hogs. Plant seed 
early in spring, 8 by 8 feet. Many varieties are 
used, and all do well. 

Alfalfa Alfalfa or lucern, the best forage plant 
grown, makes splendid feed for milk 
cows, hogs and young growing stock. 

California does, without doubt, furnish the best 
inducements, everything considered, of any State 
in the Union, for the profitable growing of alfalfa. 

For best results, three separate features must 
be combined : 

First — Deep, rich, warm soil. 

Second — Continuous sunshine for at least five 
months, without rain or damp weather. 



61 



Third — Abundance of irrigation for surface, or 
land that is sub-irrigated, that is, water beneath 
the surface within twenty feet. 

The lack of any one of these three features 
means poor results, but the combination of all of 
these three features means success. 

California, and especially through the San Joa- 
quin and Sacramento V^alley districts, these 
three features are combined perfectly, and here 
the splendid results are obtained. Southern Cali- 
fornia district also offers a good field for alfalfa 
growing, while the districts north and south of 
San Francisco Bay, especially along the streams, 
have quite an area of alfalfa land. 

The stranger, or the person unacquainted with 
the great alfalfa districts and their immense pro- 
duction of this plant, can not comprehend the 
immensity of the business or the opportunities 
for making money in these districts for the per- 
son who will bu\^ land, plant it to alfalfa, and 
use it in connection with dairying and stock- 
raising, or for making it into hay for the markets. 

Soil The best soil to select for growing alfalfa 
is the deep sedimentary loam, or sandy 
loam soil that is loose and mellow, with a slope 
or pitch of three to twenty feet to the mile, but 
perfectly smooth. Uneven land hinders irriga- 
tion. Soil should be underlaid with sub-soil of 
gravel or sand, to assure good underground 
drainage. Much of the land now producing grain 
will, with proper surface irrigation, grow iirst- 

62 



class alfalfa, and most of the best alfalfa fields 
are now growing on land that was a few years 
ago growing wdieat and barley. 

Planting Plow the soil deep, right after the first 
good rain in the winter, and let it rest 
for several weeks, then run over it thoroughly 
with cultivator or harrow^ and pulverize it down 
to a fine, smooth surface. 

Where surface irrigation is used, and it is used 
in all the farming sections, and water is to be 
taken from a nearby canal, or from a well, ex- 
tend main ditch along highest part of land to 
be planted, then "check" the land ; that is, throw 
up small dykes about two feet high, so that each 
dyke will surround about one acre and join each 
other. 

Build the dykes with a slope, so that when 
the earth settles and the alfalfa is ready to cut, 
machinery can be run over the dykes without 
trouble. The idea is this : In irrigating, the water 
can be let into each small area surrounded by 
dyke, and also let into one area from another. 
No ground is lost by using the dykes, as the 
alfalfa grows all over them. 

After the ditches are built and the land 
checked, it should be rolled or harrowed over, 
and then it is ready for planting. Seed can be 
bought at any point, and will come in sacks, 
ready for planting. The proper time for planting 
is February, March or April, but the latter part 



63 



of February and the month of March is the best 
seeeHng time. 

Figure on using about fifteen to twenty pounds 
of seed to the acre, and sow with a hand machine 
for best resuhs and cover with a very Hght har- 
row. Some prefer to sow a Hght crop of barley, 
for a "nurse crop" with the alfalfa, clainiing that 
the barley will help to choke out the weeds and 
protect the young alfalfa plants. Where this is 
done the barley should be cut for hay in May 
or June. 

The young alfalfa plants begin to grow rapidly 
about June, and should be irrigated at least twice 
the first summer. The first crop is ready to cut 
about August or September, and under favorable 
conditions two or three crops are cut the first 
season. The second season the field will turn off 
four or five cuttings of one to two tons of hay to 
the acre, for each cutting. The third or fourth 
summer the field is supposed to be in its prime, 
and will cut four to seven cuttings, running from 
eight to twelve tons to the acre for the summer. 

Under very excellent conditions, as much as 
fourteen tons of good dry hay has been cut to 
each acre, in one summer, from four-year-old 
alfalfa. 

With proper care a field is good for many 
years, without the necessity of re-seeding; in fact, 
cases are known where fields fourteen years old 
have produced, without additional seed, twelve 
tons to acre. 



64 



Irrigating With checks properly built, irriga- 
tion should not be a hard task. Gen- 
erally one cutting is taken from the field without 
irrigation, and in some instances two or three 
crops are cut before the water is applied. But, 
with warm weather and plenty of water, a good 
soaking should be given the field a few days after 
each cutting. 

Cover each "check" two to four inches deep 
with water, leaving it stand long enough to soak 
into the soil. Do not over-irrigate, but study the 
soil and the results. Some soil requires much 
Avater, especially the deep sandy loam, where the 
underlying stratum of sub-soil is quite a distance 
below the surface. 

If the land is sub-irrigated, with surface water 
only a few feet below, very little surface irriga- 
tion is required. This is a matter that should be 
left wholly with the grower, as many things must 
be determined, and the person on the ground 
must study the situation and act accordingly. 

Harvesting Most of the growers cut their 
alfalfa for hay and feed it dry. In 
this state it makes splendid feed for milk cows, 
stock cattle and sheep, and horses that are not 
w^orking do well on it. With a small portion of 
grain it does very well for work horses. Some 
use it for pasture, especially for milk cows and 
hogs, and excellent results are obtained. 

The proper time to cut it for hay is when the 
first blue blossoms begin to show on the tops. 

65 



The plant is then, generally, about thirty inches 
high. A two-horse mower can be used, cutting 
the alfalfa near the ground. As the plant grows 
thick on the ground, the stems shoot up tall and 
fine, making very good hay. 

A few hours after it is cut it is ready to rake 
into windroW'S, and after standing in windrows 
half a day it can be put into "cocks'" and then 
hauled and stacked or put into barns and sheds. 
In the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, 
alfalfa can be cut in the morning and stacked the 
next day, without fear of "heating." 

Feeding Alfalfa hay can be fed to all stock with 
perfect freedom, without any serious 
results. When it is fed to beef or stock cattle 
it is generally hauled from stack and put into 
racks, where the cattle can get to it without 
wasting it. 

^lilk cows are generally fed night and morn- 
ing, under cover, in stalls. Very good results are 
had by feeding milk cows a light ration night 
and morning, with also one hour pasture in the 
field during afternoon. Too much green alfalfa, 
especially if there is dew or dampness, is liable 
to cause "bloat" with cattle, sheep and horses, 
but hogs are not affected. 

Young hogs live on alfalfa pasture and grow 
rapidly without any other feed, but to fatten old 
hogs some grain is required. 

Some dairymen own "choppers." These are 
turned by steam or electric power, chopping the 

66 



alfalfa hay very fine. This chopped hay is then 
either fed direct or placed in silos, to be fed out 
later. 

Markets Alany growers feed their hay to their 
own stock, and where this method is 
followed, especially in the dairy business, it has 
been shown that the hay is worth $15 per ton. 

Much hay is stacked and sold in bulk to the 
cattle and sheep men, who feed it to fatten their 
stock for the market. 

It is also delivered, loose, direct from the field 
to the barns of the fruit grower, who generally 
does not grow hay, and to the people living in 
the towns located in the fruit and alfalfa districts. 
Thousands of tons are baled and shipped by boat 
and rail to the lumbering and mining districts 
and to the large commercial centers of the State. 

The price of alfalfa hay varies, according to 
the amount of hay on the market and the manner 
in which it is handled. Where it is delivered 
loose into barns and where it is stacked and sold 
in bulk, the price runs from $5 to $10 per ton, 
with an average of about $7.50. For baled hay, 
prices range from $8 to $14 per ton, delivered on 
board boat or cars. The growler who w'ill feed 
his hav to his own dairv cows will g^et the best 
returns from vear to vear. 



67 



Alfalfa and The saying that "alfalfa, dairy cows 
Dairying and hogs are the money makers" is 
indeed a true one, that has been 
demonstrated in California over and over again. 
To begin this business, either on a large or small 
scale, the very best land should be selected, where 
an abundance of irrigation water can be had, and 
where good creameries are located near by. 

Commence right, by preparing and seeding the 
ground properly, and work to get a good, vig- 
orous stand. 

One acre will supply enough feed to keep one 
dairy cow and one hog the year through. A 
dairy barn with a good hay capacity and enough 
room for all the cows should be erected. Cement 
floors, with good drainage, should be put in, and 
arranged with an eye to cleanliness. 

Select the right kind of cows. This is one of 
the essentials. A cow that will produce $10 
worth of cream each month will cost more than 
one that will bring in $5, but she eats no more 
hay. Therefore, work into a herd that will be 
cream producers. With the right kind of a herd 
properly fed and cared for, $10 per month for 
cream from each cow can be expected. 

Own your own cream separator, and after each 
milking run the milk through, take the cream to 
the creamery, and keep the skimmed milk at 
home for the calves and pigs. At the creamery 
your cream is tested and paid for by the pound. 

With a good strain of brood sows bringing 
in pigs at intervals, plenty of skimmed milk and 

68 



green alfalfa, no other feed is required for the 
growing hogs. With a calf from each cow once 
a year, and the monthly checks from the cream- 
ery, profits on the money invested are large and 
sure. 

A case is on record where twenty acres of 
alfalfa fed to dairy cows and hogs brought an 
average income of $200 per month, the year 
around, all the work being done by the owner 
and his family. 

The original cost of this place was for land, 
seeding, buildings, cows and hogs, about $6000, 
all accomplished in four years. 

The cash value of the place, improvements and 
stock, at the end of four years was $10,000, show- 
ing an increase in value in four years of $4000, 
with a good income each year besides. 

Future The future outlook for good profits in 
Profits the alfalfa business, especially where 
dairy cows and hogs are used, is very 
bright. 

The population of California is increasing by 
leaps and bounds, and already the dairymen of 
California can not supply the demand for dairy 
products, to say nothing of beef, pork and 
mutton. 

The alfalfa business in California is a very sub- 
stantial one. No crop failures, no glutted mar- 
kets, and plenty of good alfalfa land at reason- 
able prices, offers to the person who will enter 
this field a self-supporting home in California, 

69 



increased valuation on property values, and a 
snug" sum put aside each year for a rainy day. 

For further details on alfalfa growing, send to 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, 
D. C, for Farmers' Bulletin No. 215. 

Suggestions It is advisable for the small 
grower, or beginner, to not plant 
too many kinds of products, except for home use. 
Select two or three kinds only, study these 
with care, and strive to produce something that 
will bring a fancy price. Certain combinations 
of products can be grown to perfection, in each 
of the farming districts, and the following prod- 
ucts may be grown successfully, either singly 
or any two or more in combination in the dis- 
tricts shown : 

Southern California. — Oranges, lemons, grape 
fruit, all vegetables, all berries, grapes, walnuts, 
olives, sugar beets, alfalfa, apricots, apples. 

San Joaquin Valley. — Alfalfa, grapes, all vege- 
tables, all berries, peaches, prunes, apricots, figs, 
plums, pears, apples, olives, sugar beets, oranges, 
almonds. 

Sacramento Valley. — Alfalfa, grapes, all vege- 
tables, all berries, peaches, prunes, apricots, figs, 
pears, plums, cherries, olives, sugar beets, 
oranges, almonds. 

North of San Francisco Bay. — -Grapes, all veg- 
etables, all berries, peaches, pears, apples, prunes, 
cherries, apricots, figs, olives, oranges, sugar 
beets, plums, walnuts, almonds. 

70 



South of San Francisco Bay. — Apples, primes, 
all vegetables, all berries, grapes, plums, peaches, 
pears, figs, cherries, apricots, olives, oranges, 
sugar beets, walnuts, almonds. 



Buy good land, well located. It pays in the 
long run. 

Investigate carefully before planting, and plant 
only the products that are doing well in that dis- 
trict. Don't experiment, unless you have plenty 
of money and time and w^ant to be a public ben- 
efactor. 

Don't plant anything unless you are convinced 
that the markets are near by for handling it, or 
the freight rates to the nearest market centers 
are reasonable. If you locate a distance from the 
markets, plant something that will ship cheaply 
in bulk, wdthout fear of damage. 

When you buy land deal with reliable real 
estate firms, who have land to sell or who are 
agents for land. You can do better with them 
than the owner. Selling land is their business, 
and they will always give you a "square deal." 
Land owners of California are not easy people 
to deal with. 

And remember this : California is destined to 
become a very thickly settled state, especially in 
the farming districts, and good land in any of the 
farming districts will never be worth less, but 
will gradually increase in value from year to 
year. 



71 



"OUR MODEL TWENTY-ACRE FARM" 

When I say we, I mean myself, my wife and 
our children — one boy eighteen years old, with 
not a lazy bone in his body, one girl sixteen years 
old, just like her mother, and one young "hope- 
ful," a son thirteen years old. 

We decided to own a small country home in 
California, where we could not only make a liv- 
ing, but live during the meantime. 

We moved to California and began to investi- 
gate, looking over all the best farming districts. 
W^e asked many questions, for everything was 
new to us. The soil and how to work it, fruits, 
vegetables and alfalfa were all like a book still 
unread. 

Finally we decided on the district we wanted 
to live in, and moved into a furnished house, 
located in a good little country town, where 
schools, churches and good markets were in evi- 
dence. 

Then began a careful search for land. A re- 
liable man, who owned a fine orchard about two 
miles out, gave us much good advice that assisted 
us greatly. We only had $3500 cash, but with 
plenty of energy and a determination to do some- 
thing, we finally made a start by selecting twenty 
acres about a mile out from the town. 

This tract was part of a large wheat ranch that 
had just been put on the market in twenty and 

72 



forty-acre pieces, with irrigation on each piece. 
The twenty acres we selected was located beauti- 
fully, fronting on the main graveled road and 
running back to one of the laterals built in from 
the main irrigation canal. 

The land sloped about eight feet to the mile 
from the lateral down to the road, with a good 
surface drainage, and underlying the tract about 
twenty feet was a fine sub-stratum of gravel. 
The soil was a dark brown chocolate loam, with 
just enough sand to work well. The price to be 
paid was $3000, in four annual installments of 
$750 each, w^ith six per cent interest on deferred 
payments. We made our first payment and took 
possession November 1st, just after a good rain 
had soaked the ground well. We hired a farmer 
who owned eight mules and a big plow, to come 
in and plow up the entire place, and he plowed 
it deep and well. Then we fenced the entire 
place with three boards and two barbed wires, 
although we found later that this was not neces- 
sary, as the stock laws of California prohibit loose 
stock to run at large. 

Three acres in one corner and next to the road 
was laid out with room for house, yard, family 
orchard, barn, chicken houses, berry patch, etc. 
A well w^as put down and splendid, soft, cold 
water was reached at forty feet, and water arose 
within fifteen feet of surface. A carpenter was 
hired, lumber hauled and a three-room cottage 
was built. This was arranged so an addition 
could be built on in front when the proper time 

73 



came. Next we erected a large barn with eighty- 
ton hay capacity, and sheds on three sides for 
horses, cows, hogs, and farming implements. 

Chicken and hog houses were also made, most 
of this work being done by ourselves. Then the 
cottage was furnished, and we moved into our 
own castle in time to eat Christmas dinner. Up 
to this time we had been busy making walks 
around the house and fixing up other conven- 
iences, and had paid no attention to the balance 
of the land. 

The gentle rain and warm sun had started the 
vegetation growing, and we began to prepare for 
the planting. xA.ll arrangements were made with 
a good nursery firm to supply trees, vines, 
plants, etc., and a span of young, well-broken 
horses were bought, as well as a farm wagon, a 
two-horse plow, a disk harrow and a light 
harrow. 

Then we harrowed the entire place down 
smooth, breaking up all clods, then it was plowed 
shallow and harrowed again, until it was just 
like an "ash bank." 

Seven acres along the lateral was selected for 
alfalfa, and w^ith a borrowed scraper we soon had 
ditches built and the entire seven acres 
"checked." We let it stand until February 8th 
and harrowed it all over again, and rolled it down 
with a light roller. We bought 140 pounds of 
alfalfa seed and a few sacks of barley and sowed 
it together and run over it with a light harrow. 
What else could mortal man now do but wail 

74 



and trust to Providence, and we found later that 
Providence was indeed good to the California 
farmer. 

Then we went to work on the other ten acres 
and put it in shape for trees. Holes were dug 
deep and wide into the loose, rich soil, and by 
March 4th we had it all planted, seven acres in 
peaches and three acres in cherries. During this 
time we had not been idle around the house. 
Walnut trees had been placed along the road 
ioiXy feet apart, six navel orange trees wxre 
growing in the yard in front, two lemon and two 
olive trees on one side and grape vines on the 
other, while flowers and shrubbery were planted 
along the Avalks. Three fig trees back of the 
barn, and other ornamental and fruit trees found 
root in every odd corner. One acre w^as set to 
loganberries, and early potatoes were planted be- 
tween the rows of young trees over the entire 
place. 

Three dozen young hens had been added to the 
barnyard, and five stands of bees had been placed 
far back in the orchard, out of firing range. Let- 
tuce, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, asparagus, 
celery, peas and other vegetables were planted at 
the proper time, and by May 1st we were all 
through planting and cultivating, and the oldest 
boy hired out to our neighbor, with the team and 
'farming implements, at $3.50 per day, our first 
income. 



75 



But we were all kept busy at home, irrigating, 
hoeing and pulling weeds. By this time the 
youngest boy had developed into a regular gar- 
dener, and had never put on his coat, only when 
he went to school or church, since we moved in. 

Although we had passed through one winter 
in California, we had all worked out-doors most 
every day, and enjoyed it, and now, June 15th, 
with fresh eggs every day, and over two hundred 
young chicks doing well, with fresh vegetables 
from our own garden and some to sell, and $3.50 
coming in each day from the boy and team, we 
felt after all that success and independence were 
almost within our reach. 

By this time our barley crop was ready to cut 
for hay, and this meant a new mower, rake and 
forks. The young alfalfa was very thick on the 
ground, and all weeds were completely choked 
out. We went to work on that seven-acre field, 
and in four days it was mowed, dried and placed 
in barn, and we estimated that it gave us about 
twenty tons of fine hay. 

In a few days we irrigated the alfalfa, and how 
it did grow ! Two more cuttings of fine hay were 
taken off that summer, making about sixteen 
tons. 

Then we bought a good thoroughbred young- 
milk cow, the best investment we ever made, for 
all summer she gave us plenty of fresh milk and 
butter and about two pounds to sell each week. 
In August the potatoes were dug and sold, and 
by January 1st, just one year from the date we 

76 



started, we prepared our statement, showing in- 
come and expenses for the year as follows : 

INCOME. 

Capital on hand $3,500 

Butter, vegetables and eggs sold 180 

Potatoes, between trees 714 

Boy and team 530 

Total $4,924 

EXPENSES. 

First payment on land $750 

Interest ' 135 

Tas^s and insurance 83 

Improvements, stock, etc 1,855 

Trees, vines, etc 190 

Provisions, clothing, etc 530 

Total $3,543 

Balance on hand $1,381 

Then w-e bought another cow, for we had 

plenty of hay, and in March we again planted 
vegetables in the garden and potatoes between 
the rows of young trees. Everything was look- 
ing first class, trees growing nicely, chickens, 
now two hundred laying hens, turning out eggs 
regularly, and the cows supplying milk and but- 
ter, with hardly a day lost with the team when 
not busy at home. 

Right after cutting the first crop of alfalfa we 
bought four more good cows and two fine brood 
sows. We also bought a cream separator and 
began to deliver cream to the creamery, near by. 
What vegetables we could not use at home were 
bought by the groceryman at good prices, and in 
Jime we began to pick and sell berries. That 
summer we cut five crops of alfalfa and placed it 

77 



in the barn, potatoes were dug and sold, and 

everything looked very satisfactory. 

January 1st, end of second year, showed our 

income and expenses in detail : 

IXCO^IE. 

Capital $1,381 

Cream 520 

Three calves sold 32 

Boy and team 632 

Berries and vegetables 211 

Eggs and poultry 372 

Potatoes 612 

Total $3,760 

EXPENSES. 

Second payment on land $750 

Interest and taxes 148 

Four cows 320 

Two sows 36 

Groceries and clothing 478 

Incidentals 120 

Total $1,852 

Balance $1,908 

The end of the third year showed better results 
than either of the two years before, ^^'e paid off 
all the remaining indebtedness, namely, $1500, 
and had a balance of $1142 left. 

The summer of the fourth year was a busy one, 
and although we planted nothing between the 
rows of trees, on account of the shade, still we 
had a fine crop of peaches, and the berries pro- 
duced well. That season we cut five crops of 
alfalfa, with considerable pasture besides, and 
estimated our hay yield at sixty tons. 

The chicken business had grown to a regular 
income producer, and we were raising some very 

78 



fine hogs. In fact, not a week passed, winter or 
Slimmer, without an income of cash for some- 
thing. 

At the end of the fourth year our statement 
showed : 

INCOME. 

Cash on hand $1,142 

Cream 607 

Calves 44 

Hogs 232 

Peaches 1,080 

Cherries 152 

B<^?rries 371 

PouUry and eggs 627 

Vegetables 197 

Team 372 

Incidentals 121 

Total $4,945 

EXPENSES. 

Taxes and insurance $133 

Barley 31 

Boxes 30 

Chicken feed 151 

Addition to house 780 

Other improvements 320 

Clothing and groceries 560 

Incidentals 230 

Total $2,235 

Balance cash on hand $2,710 

January 1st, end of fifth year, our accounts 
showed balance cash on hand, $4872, place all 
paid for, a nice seven-room cottage, fine barn 
with cement floors, good chicken and hog houses, 
and many other nice improvements ; seven acres 
of alfalfa, bringing in an income of over $700 each 
year, seven acres of fine peaches, good for over 
$1000 each year, three acres of cherries just com- 

79 



ing into bearing and capable of $150 worth to the 
acre, one acre of loganberries giving us about 
$300 per season ; walnuts, oranges, figs, olives 
and grapes for home use and some to sell ; six 
fine cows, twenty-two thoroughbred hogs, three 
horses and four hundred chickens ; farming im- 
plements, surrey and tools, all accumulated in 
five years, on a capital of $3500 and plenty of 
good muscle and energy. We had all enjoyed 
every day during the entire live years. We had 
worked, yes, and saved, but w^e had also played. 
We had hunted and fished, drove all over the 
country for miles, attended good schools and 
churches, went to picnics and theaters, and above 
all, we had lived. 

But this was not all ; we had been offered ten 
thousand dollars cash for our place, stock and 
implements, but had refused it with thanks. 

In these five years much land had been sold 
in small tracts further out, and we were then in 
the center of a very highly improved district, 
with property values increasing each year. 

Other people near us had done well also, but 
no place showed the beautiful flowers, walks, 
arbors, and the handy conveniences. 

This was because we had located to live and 
improve, and w^e took opportunity to make every- 
thing count. 

And now, each year we are adding something, 
rare flowers or plants in the yard, or some labor- 
saving device about the house or barn. 



80 



Electric lights and telephone have been in- 
stalled, electric motor now runs the pump, sepa- 
rator and grind-stone. The cream man and the 
produce man now call each morning for cream, 
vegetables, poultry and eggs, and our crops are 
always sold before they are ready, because we 
produce only a fancy article that everybody wants 
and is willing to pay for. 

To-day we have a home, a self-supporting, a 
money-making home, a place where we can live 
and enjoy life ; a home where in our declining 
years we can live without labor or worry, and 
rest beneath our own tree and vine. 

We have visited many such homes in Califor- 
nia, and many more will be built from time to 
time. Here in California we have the soil, the 
weather and the markets. All that is required 
is a little capital, plenty of energy, and just a 
little "horse sense'' to make a 

"MODEL TWENTY-ACRE FARM" like 

"ours " 

A FARMER. 



81 



Information For the benefit of persons who 
want reliable and detailed infor- 
mation on lands, prices, terms and products in 
any of the farming districts, or any particular 
section in any farming district, we give on the 
following pages, under the head of each district, 
the names and addresses of reliable real estate 
firms located in these districts, who will, on ap- 
plication, supply all information. 

Also nursery firms who will supply information 
and catalogues on nursery stock for planting. 

We beg the reader to mention "California Pro- 
ducts" when writing. 

For general information and literature on Cali- 
fornia write to the California State Board of 
Trade, Ferry Building, San Francisco. 



Southern California District 

Reliable real estate firms who have farm lands 
for sale : 

Service Bros., Los Angeles. — 302 Frost Build- 
ing. 

Edw. D. Silent Co., Los Angeles. — 410 South 
Hill Street. 

W. C. Prather, Los Angeles. — 603 Union Trust 
Building. 

Jacob Stern, Los Angeles. — 404 Pacific Electric 
Building. 



Nurseries 

San Dimas Citrus Nursery Co. — San Dimas, 
California. 

82 



For general information on Southern California 
write to Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Los 
Ansreles, Cal. 



San Joaquin Valley District 

Fresno Land Co., Fresno. — 2044 Mariposa 
Street, Fresno County. 

PMerce & Anderson, Fresno. — 1152 J Street, 
Fresno County. 

Maze & Wren, Modesto. — Stanislaus County. 

P. M. Nelson, Hanford. — Kings County. 

Crocker Land Co., Merced — Merced County. 

Williamson & Twitchings, Stockton. — San Joa- 
quin County. 

Nurseries 

California Nursery Co. — Niles, Cal. 

Modesto-Turlock Irrigation District 

In the productive San Joaquin Valley. Sandy Loam Lands, 

with abundance of irrigation water, in a very highly 

improved district, with good cities, 

markets and schools. 

ALFALFA, DAIRYING, FRUITS, 
VEGETABLES 

Prices of land, with free water right, $75.00 to $150.00 
per acre. Easy terms. Write us for particulars. 

MAZE & WREN 

Modesto, Stanislaus County, California 

83 



Sacramento Valley District 

Irrigated Land Co. of California, San Francisco. 
— 324 Crocker Building. 

C. M. AVooster Co., San Francisco. — 702 Mar- 
ket Street. 

Brooke Realty Co.. Sacramento. — 618 J Street. 

W. F. Sperry, IMarysville. — Yuba County. 

Frank C. Mitchell, Gridley. — Butte County. 

Cussick & Burdon, Cliico. — Butte County. 

Los Molinos Land Co., Los Molinos. — Tehama 
Coimty. 

W. N. Woodson, Corning. — Tehama County. 

Simmons & AA'ebb, \\'oodland. — Yolo Countv. 



Nursery Firms 
Chico Nursery, Chico — Butte County. 

Herbert Sampson Nursery, Corning. — Tehama 
County. 



For general information and literature on the 
Sacramento Valley, write to the Sacramento A al- 
ley Development Association, Sacramento. Cal. 

84 



"The Sacramento Valley" 
''The Land of Opportunity" 

We are large sellers of Sacramento Valley 
lands, on easy terms, for 

Money Making Country 
Homes 

Our lands are well located, on railroads, near 
good cities and markets, and are especially 
adapted to the growing of 

ALFALFA, FRUITS, VEGETABLES, 
NUTS and BERRIES 

Tracts of 5 to 100 acres, with or without irriga- 
tion. 

Sedimentary loam lands, $100 to $150 per acre. 

Sandy loam lands, $65 to $125 per acre. 

Light soil lands, near mountains, $45 to ^75 per 
acre. 

City property and improved places. 



A\^rite to us for books and information. 

Brooke Realty Co. 

618 J Street Sacramento, Gal. 

85 



North of San Francisco Bay District 

For general information and literature on north 
of San Francisco Bay district, write to North of 
Bay County's Association, Ferry Building, San 
Francisco. 



Real Estate Firms 

Mackinder-Anderson Co., St. Helena, Cal., or 
26 Montgomery Street, San Francisco. 

Country Homes 

In the Beautiful Napa Valley 

Close to San Francisco and 
Fine Markets 

POULTRY, VEGETABLES, NUTS, 
BERRIES 

Bare land and improved places, nicely located. 
Prices reasonable and terms easy. 

We make a specialty of small country homes. 



Write for information. 

MACKINDER-ANDERSON CO. 

St. Helena, Cal. and 

26 Montgomery Street San Francisco 

86 



South of San Francisco Bay District 

For general information and literature on South 
of San Francisco Bay district write to Watsonville 
Chamber of Commerce, Watsonville, Cal., and 
Santa Clara Commercial League, Santa Clara, 
Cal. 



87 



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